The R&A and Ladies' Golf Union set to join forces after new merger

In February 2016 it was revealed that a merger between the Ladies Golf Union and the R&A was decided and that the process would be completed in the coming months. This news comes almost a year after the announcement that the two St Andrews based organisations had been having “exploratory discussions”.

Martin Slumbers, the chief executive of the R&A, said he was confident that the merger would not cause women’s golf to be “submerged” with men’s. “We feel confident that that will not happen and we will work together and focus on both sides of the game,” he said.

The R&A organises the Open championship, major amateur events and international matches and, together with the United States Golf Association, is responsible for governing the game of golf worldwide. The LGU meanwhile is the main body responsible for ladies’ ametuer golf in both Great Britain and Ireland. LGU Championships Limited is in charge of organising the Ricoh Women’s British Open and teams for competitions like the Curtis Cup.

From the announcement it is clear that both parties are keen to emphasise that the relationship between the organisations will be symbiotic and not lead to a quashing of the LGU. Trish Wilson, the chairman of the LGU, said: “The LGU has a long and proud tradition of supporting women's and girl’s golf.” She also said: “Building on the strong relationship it already enjoys with the R&A, the LGU looks forward to realising the potential of this merger.”

Slumbers’ statements similarly prompted that the merger would be used to better the opportunities for women’s golf. He claimed that: “The LGU’s knowledge of the women’s game will make the R&A stronger.” He also suggested that: “The merger will enable us to capitalise on the strengths of the two organisations for the wider benefit of the sport, including the development of golf for women and girls.”

The business operations are not set to come into effect until early next year and the LGU will continue to run its usual international matches and championships this year.